Back to Back Counties Cup Wins for In a Twinkling

Media Release - Saturday November 21

Enigmatic Fastnet Rock stayer In A Twinkling was on his best behaviour as he secured his second Group III Franklin Auctions Counties Cup (2100m) with a gritty effort on Saturday.

Advertisement

Opie Bosson has In A Twinkling at full stretch as they head to victory in the Gr.3 Franklin Auctions Counties Cup (2100m) Photo Credit: Trish Dunell
The Jamie Richards-trained five-year-old can be a headstrong character at times and has tested Richard’s patience on numerous occasions. However, when his mind is on the job, he is a highly talented galloper as evidenced by his runner-up performance in the 2019 Group I New Zealand Derby (2400m) along with a stirring front-running effort to win his first Counties Cup last season.

Sent for a lengthy summer spell, Richards gave In a Twinkling a slow build-up before he made his raceday return in September.

Having the fourth run of the campaign, In A Twinkling was handy throughout for rider Opie Bosson and held off a late charge of stablemate Savy Yong Blonk to secure the victory.

Some impressive trackwork during the week had Richards hopeful of a good showing although he was mindful of his charge having a few tricks up his sleeve after he finished last at his most recent run.

“We had been expecting him to run well and turn his form around as his work this week had been very good,” Richards said.

“He is a bit of a hard horse to get a line on as you have to take him on trust a little bit.

“On top of the ground and up in trip this time, he was very good.

“We gave him a good break as he had had a big season as a three-year-old and I think that has paid off and justified the owners’ patience with him.”

In A Twinkling holds a nomination for both the Group III SKYCITY City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) and Group I Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) with Richards believing he is best suited on right-handed tracks like Pukekohe and Ellerslie.

“I think the main thing is that he likes it up here and maybe we might need to just keep him going right-handed in the future,” he said

Purchased out of the Curraghmore draft at the 2017 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale for $250,000 by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis, In A Twinkling is raced by the Te Akau Fastnet Moment syndicate has the overall record of four wins and four seconds from 22 starts.

Foaled and raised in Australia at Coolmore, In a Twinkling is a half-brother to stakes-winner I’m Incredible from multiple Group III winner Moment in Time, a tough and talented stayer that won up to 2800m.

Henley Park sold the full brother to In a Twinkling at Karaka Book 1 last year for $250,000 to Lindsay Park Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock

Moment in Time has a yearling filly by Fastnet Rock and is due to foal to Justify (USA).


 

Advertisment

Race Result - Counties Cup Gr3 2100m

Pukekohe Park Track: Dead(4) Time: 2:09.67
1
In A Twinkling
- 5g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Moment In Time (AUS) (Archway (IRE))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: O P Bosson 57.5
Fastnet Rock
Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale $0
Seller: Holbrook Thoroughbreds, Scone
Buyer: Passed In - Reserve: $320,000
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $600,000
Seller: Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains
Buyer: Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA)
2
1.0
Savy Yong Blonk
- 5m Savabeel (AUS) x Ampin (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: D S Johnson 55.5
3
1.8
Grand Bouquet
- 5m Savabeel (AUS) x Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: Ms L Brennan Rdr: S M Mc Kay 53
4
2.6
Justamaiz
- 6g Guillotine (NZ) x Arthena (NZ) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: D G Greene Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55.5
5
3.0
Polzeath
- 8g Pentire (GB) x Arniston (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: M & K Murdoch Rdr: J J Fawcett 53
6
5.3
Livin' On A Prayer
- 7m Redwood (GB) x It's My Sin (AUS) (Success Express (USA))
Tnr: W P Hillis Rdr: L H Satherley 53
7
5.8
Ocean Billy
- 5g Ocean Park (NZ) x Cool Storm (NZ) (One Cool Cat (USA))
Tnr: W K Pomare Rdr: V A Colgan 56.5
8
7.8
My Gift
- 8g Notnowcato (GB) x Red Blossom (GB) (Green Desert (USA))
Tnr: J K Mason Rdr: D J Danis 54
9
7.9
Paisley Park
- 6g Azamour (IRE) x Musical Magic (GB) (Mozart (IRE))
Tnr: G Richardson & R Norvall Rdr: A J Calder 54.5
10
8.1
Blue Breeze
- 7g Bullbars (AUS) x Peony Rose (NZ) (St Reims (NZ))
Tnr: A J Morley Rdr: C Dell 53.5
11
8.4
Voler Pour Moi
- 7m Pour Moi (IRE) x Tin Goose (NZ) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: T Yanagida 53
12
9.2
On The Rocks
- 6g Alamosa (NZ) x Cold Shoulder (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: C K Ormsby 60
13
10.6
Pinmedown
- 5m Pins (AUS) x Alleyway (NZ) (Oregon (USA))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: M Cameron 53
14
11.4
Inscription
- 7m Cape Blanco (IRE) x Donaquillo (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: C R McCarroll Rdr: T D Thornton 53
More Reading...
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
$190,000 Per Incanto Colt Heads Vibrant Weanling Sale
The  2025 National Weanling Sale saw its first dual-code weanling session in play at Karaka, with a total aggregate of $2,410,000 outlaid across 84 lots by a strong domestic buying bench plus international support from Australia, Hong Kong and China.
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 26
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Coles Bows Out After 60 Years
Pukekohe’s Wednesday meeting marked the end of an era for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, as Ross Coles, a treasured figure in the industry, retired after 60 years as Clerk of the Course.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 Tatts Tiara
With Royal Ascot done and dusted for another year, let's turn our attention to the final G1 of the Australian racing season as some very expensive mares seek to land that elusive G1 and three runners will carry the Yulong colours!
Do Early Winners Equate to Long Term Stud Success?
As we move towards the end of the racing season, attention invariably focuses on first season sires and who will be the leader of the cohort by winners and it’s a close run race this year, but does any of it matter in the grand scheme of things?
Flying Artie 2YO Wins by Four!
Blue Gum Farm have an appealing roster of three sires for this spring and while it’s all in front of Sejardan and Oxley Road, proven favourite Flying Artie remains unbeatable value and the G1 sire produced a four length 2YO winner on Thursday.